HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2018-12-05 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
December 5, 2018
The Friendswood Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday,
December 5, 2018 at 3:30 pm., in the second floor conference room of Friendswood City Hall, 910
South Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Chair Skip
Evans, Vice Chair Meg Crowley, Mike Hickey, Gary Kay, Pauline Moore, and Jennifer Whitley. Also
present was liaison Connie Morgenroth - Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations for
Friendswood ISD.
Staff members present were Karen Capps and City Manager Morad Kabiri
Absent was Blaise Guzzetta.
1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m.
2. Roll call. Roll call was made with a quorum present.
3. Approval of Minutes
Meg Crowley made a motion to approve the November 7, 2018 meeting minutes. Jennifer Whitley
seconded, all in favor, motion carried unanimously.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding:
-Friendswood cares business visits
Committee members reported on business visits that were conducted during the past month. Staff
will maintain a spreadsheet on these visits. Attendance at High Point Insurance Group's open house
was also reported.
The committee reviewed the City's Chapter 380 Municipal Grant Program. Staff gave an overview of
the history, updates to the program and target markets for eligibility. Business recipients of previous
grant awards were reviewed and its return on investment. Since 2008, the City has awarded
$297,000 to businesses through the Municipal Grant Program, which, in turn has created $28.33
million in taxable value, added 183,187 square feet of commercial space, and created or retained
396 jobs in the city.
5. Staff report/comments
Staff provided a recap of the 16'h annual Broker and Developer Day was provided stating there were
38 attendees, 52 who had registered, four people attended who had not rsvp'd. The chamber
rescheduled their golf tournament to November 29 at Timber Creek Golf Club. Mike Hickey and
Jennifer Whitley attended the event and reported that the content, attendance, and interaction was
good. Carol Marcantel stated that participation at the golf tournament has decreased in recent years
due to many other tournaments being held during the month of October.
Ms. Capps stated she will be attending the International Council of Shopping Centers Texas Deal
Making Conference/Trade Show in January. A development update was also provided.
6. Member comments
No comments
7. Liaison reports
Connie Morgenroth reported that FISD has been working to create a five year strategic plan for the
district. The plan can be found on the Board of Trustee's website as part of their November meeting.
The district is also working on their legislative agenda and have been meeting with local State
representatives. The main focus will be on school safety and simplifying school funding. Ms.
Morgenroth also stated that vaping has become a real issue for schools which is being addressed.
8. Adjournment
Next meeting will be on January 16, 2019. The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.